Sailing Along

Thanks to Robert Osborne and Turner Classic Movies for showcasing another wonderful performer who seems to be largely forgotten today. I thought I had a fair knowledge of movies, but I had never heard of Jessie Matthews until a recent showing of "Evergreen" on one of "Robert's Picks" nights. I read the description in the TCM guide and thought I would take a look, not expecting too much. After watching it, I wondered why I had never heard of this lovely and talented lady? I was captivated from her first scene and have eagerly awaited more ever since. This was the third movie I have seen with her, and I am a bigger fan than ever. She was a real charmer, and unlike most stars of the time, she wasn't afraid to look silly or unglamorous for a laugh. She appears in a plain or messy state in much of this movie, but comes off as appealing and lovely as any of the well-known stars of the 30's. It's our loss that she didn't make more movies, especially if it's true there were once plans to pair her with Fred Astaire. That would have been a wonderful combination.

"Sailing Along" is an entertaining comedy musical with Jessie Matthews in the lead. One thing that makes this film stand out is one of her co-stars, Jack Whiting. He sings and dances, and the two have a smashing lengthy finale. The story has a somewhat goofy plot, but a good one, with another male co-star, Barry MacKay. But the best part of this is the music and dancing that provides a look at the very talented Whiting. Like Matthews, Whiting was also a stage actor and performer. But he made only a handful of films and had a few TV appearances. He worked mostly on the stage and performed in many musicals on Broadway and a few in London.

This movie was made while Whiting had gone to London with his wife for a regal celebration and festivities. They stayed a year or so. I'm glad they did, and that he made this film, because it's the best one that showcases his talents. The Philadelphia-born American was likened at times to Fred Astaire for his dancing. While his numbers are very good in this film, I don't think he could quite match Astaire. But, Whiting had a very good baritone voice, and he sang as much or more than he danced on the stage. He also made recordings

Jessie Matthews is always entertaining and does very well in this film. While the film is a comedy musical, and the comedy is good, it's just in small doses compared to most of the films that Matthews made. The rest of the cast are fine in their roles. Alastair Sim is a hoot in any comedy he is in, as he is here, in just a small amount of screen time Roland Young is okay as the person who pulls the musical aspects of the film together. Athene Seyler as his sister, Victoria Gulliver, is quite good. Barry MacKay's role takes a back seat to Whiting's, but his is mostly for the comedy, and that's as it should be.

By the third decade of the 21st century, I doubt anyone would be around yet who might have seen Matthews or Whiting on the stage. And, but for the live theatre patrons and clients of their time, few movie fans would have even known about Whiting. I am in that group; but through musicals like this I have been able to see performers who were quite prominent in the past. And, I enjoy then reading more about the lives and careers of those very good entertainers

Movie buffs who especially enjoy musicals, and comedy fans too, should enjoy this film. Matthews plays Kay Martin, MacKay is Steve Barnes, Whiting is Dicky Randall and Roland Young is Anthony Gulliver. Here are some favorite lines from the movie.

Kay Martin, "I know you wan me to be a lady, but I do so want to go on the stage, just to show Steve. He's so sure of himself." Victoria Gulliver, "That's a great quality in a man." Kay, "And awfully hard on a woman."

Kay Martin, "Today I smell grease paint for the first time. I hope it's not the last."

Sylvester, inhaling deeply, "Mmmm, I love the smell of the theatre. I'd like to paint it - the smell, not the theatre. Anthony Gulliver, "Uh huh. To think it's all mine - the theatre, I mean, not the smell."

Victoria Gulliver, "I don't trust this theatre business. It always leads to trouble. A Gaiety Girl was almost Anthony's mother. All in all, he nearly had six different mothers form six different theaters before he finally arrived."

I had a friend who lived on a boat on the River Thames in Richmond - just along from the Who's guitarist Pete Townsend whose daughter Emma fancied me big time back in the 1980s. She was a bit of a big-head. Anyway, I learned about life on the water and was made aware of a section of society that most people are unaware of - there is a river community. This involves regulars dropping by on each other in their small speedboats to drop off drugs, say hello, etc. Well, it looks like Jessie Matthews (Kay) favours this lifestyle as she is brought up living and sailing along the Thames with skipper Frank Pettingell and his son Barry MacKay (Stevel). Matthews and MacKay constantly bicker at each other whilst pursuing their individual dreams away from the water.

The rivalry between Matthews and Mackay is not at all convincing - they are pretty horrible to each other - and both actors can be irritating, Matthews with her pronunciation and her singing, and MacKay with his temperament. However, the script can be funny, the supporting cast are quite good, the dancing numbers are entertaining and the film keeps you watching. Forget the songs, though. Jack Whiting (Randall) plays an already successful entertainer and his singing is far superior to Matthews. Alastair Sims (Sylvester) has a good part as an abstract artist.

Whilst watching the film, it struck my wife and I how similar in looks Matthews is to Sarah Brightman. I bet Jessie Matthews is the favourite actress of Andrew Lloyd-Weber. Also, more creepily, I bet if he was around at the same time, he would be hanging around her dressing room, writing terrible songs for her to perform and trying to get a date. Matthews must be relieved that he wasn't around, although she would have murdered any of the bland tunes that he came up with by performing them in that terribly old-fashioned singing style.

Sailing Along casts Jessie Matthews as a girl brought up on a Thames River barge by Frank Pettingell. His natural son Barry MacKay thinks of Jessie as a sister, but that's starting to change.

Her natural musical talent is discovered by millionaire Roland Young who gets her started on a musical career. He also helps MacKay indirectly get the schooner he's always wanted.

But as for getting Jessie, there's the matter of visiting American musical comedy star Jack Whiting who's putting the moves on Jessie, seeing her as a stage and maybe a life partner. But then again Whiting's gone through a few of each variety.

The film is a great showcase for the singing and dancing talents of Jessie Matthews. It was the dream of many on both sides of the pond to pair her with Fred Astaire. Unfortunately that deal never was made for a variety of reasons.

Jack Whiting made very few films, but he was a popular leading man on Broadway and this film is a rare chance to see his style and talent. He was also married to the former wife of Douglas Fairbanks and consequently the stepfather of Doug, Jr.

I probably would have liked this film a lot better had the ending not been so ridiculous. You'll have to see Sailing Along to find out what I mean.

God, how I wish this team had been doing the Astaire-Rogers movies in the same era. Wonderful, risque script and a gorgeously funny leading lady.